Suspended treasurer in Arizona rehab center

Ravenel won't appear at July 9 hearing, lawyer says

COLUMBIA — State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, suspended after an indictment last week on a cocaine distribution charge, has entered a 30-day rehabilitation program in Arizona, according to a court document filed Thursday.

A lawyer for Ravenel said in a letter to the judge that Ravenel will not attend his July 9 court appearance because he is in rehab.

The letter to Magistrate Joseph McCrorey was accompanied by a note from Ravenel's doctor, who referred the Charleston developer to rehab. Neither the letter nor the note said when Ravenel began his treatment or gave further details.

A message left for Ravenel attorney's, Bart Daniel, was not returned Thursday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said he wasn't concerned that Ravenel would not be present for his arraignment. "I'm confident the hearing will go forward," McDonald said.

Ravenel and another man are charged with conspiracy to distribute less than 500 grams, or about 1.1 pounds, of cocaine between 2005 and last week. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

If convicted, Ravenel would lose his office. An interim replacement has been named.

Ravenel is at the Sierra Tucson Center in Catalina, Ariz., north of Tucson. It is a psychiatric hospital specializing in addiction and behavioral disorder treatment.

The facility is known for treating celebrities, including entertainer Julie Andrews, who underwent treatment for emotional issues; actor Michael Douglas, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, actress Kim Delaney, who played a police detective on the television show "NYPD Blue," and golfer John Daly, who were all treated there for alcoholism.